THE TOURER
MANAWATU BRANCH NEWSLETTER
FEBRUARY 2026
BRANCH INFORMATION
BRANCH DETAILS
CLUBROOMS ‘TheGrove’-684KelvinGroveRoad,PalmerstonNorth
POSTAL ADDRESS P.O.Box385,PalmerstonNorth4440 EMAIL manawatu@vcc.org.nz
COMMITTEE MEETING
SecondWednesdayofeachmonthat‘TheGrove’.
CLUB NIGHT
ThirdWednesdayofeachmonth(exceptforJanuarywhennomeetingisheld) -meetfrom7.15pmat‘TheGrove’.Meetingsstartat7.30pm.
LIBRARY
Openbyarrangement -contactGaryMillar-(06) 354 8298 or gw.millar.pn@gmail.com
NOGGIN & NATTER
FirstTuesdayofeachmonthat7.00pmatMurray’sIrishBar-Feilding.
PARTS SHED
Openfrom2pmonthefirstSundayofeachmonthorbyarrangement. -contactGaryMillar-(06) 354 8298 or gw.millar.pn@gmail.com
BOOKINGSFOR ‘THE GROVE’ VENUE
CanbemadethroughCreativeCatering,AwapuniRacecourse. -phone(06)3542780 or Email: info@creativecatering.co.nz
FRONT COVER PHOTOGRAPH: ParkedupatthemuseumandlunchstopontheCombinedBranchVeteranRally.
PHOTOGRAPHSINTHIS ISSUE oftheTourerhavebeencontributedbyBryanAbraham, LaurieCocker,HarryJackson-VileandMatthewShute.
MANAWATU BRANCH LIFE MEMBERS: DerekHaycockandGaryMillar
MANAWATU BRANCH PATRON: LenHaycock
Theopinionsorstatementsexpressedinletters,articles,tripreportsetc.whichappearinthis magazinearetheviewsoftheauthorofthatletter/article/reportandarenotnecessarily thoseoftheCommitteeorMembersoftheManawatuBranchoftheVintageCarClubofNZInc. TheCommitteereservestherighttorefusematerialitdoesnotconsidersuitableforpublication.
THETOURER : NewZealandRegisteredMagazine. TheOfficialNewsletteroftheManawatuBranchoftheVintageCarClubofNZInc.
IN THIS ISSUE
Itwasagoodday -until…
32 PhotographsfromLen’sNewYearDayPicnic
Howoftenshouldyougreasewheelbearings
EventNotices-OtherVCCBranches,OtherClubsetc. 48 BranchCommitteeandAppointedPositions-2025/2026
RearEnd-1960FordZephyr
THE CLOSING DATE FOR THE MARCH TOURER IS THE 22ND FEBRUARY 2026
Pleasesendyourcontributionsonrallyreports,motoringstories, restorations,technicalinformation,articles,photographsetc.,to: TheEditor-email: bryabr8@gmail.com
IfyourTourerhasnotturnedupinyour‘InBox’bytheendofthemonth,checkyourSpamFolder.
COMING EVENTSAND ACTIVITIES
MANAWATU BRANCH
CALENDAR OF EVENTS - 2026
Althoughavintageorclassicvehicleispreferred,forotherthanformalevents comealongtobrancheventsandbringavehiclethatyouarecomfortabledriving.
FEBRUARY 2026
Sunday1st ThePartsShedwillbeopenbetween2pmand5pm
Sunday1st Gymkhana-seepage10ofthisTourer
Sunday1st AfternoonteaattheclubroomsaftertheGymkhana,thenaBYODinner
Tuesday3rd Noggin&Natter-7.00pmatMurray’sIrishPubBar,Feilding
Wednesday11th WorkingBeeattheClubrooms-seepage9ofthisTourer
Wednesday18th ClubNight-seeChairperson’sChatonpage6ofthisTourer
Saturday28th RSVP-ClosingDate fortheRuahineRamble
MARCH 2026
Sunday8th RuahineRamble-theentryformisonpage43ofthisTourer
VINTAGE CAR CLUB VEHICLE CLASSIFICATIONS
VETERAN: MotorVehiclesconstructedpriorto31st December1918
VINTAGE: MotorVehiclesconstructedbetween1st January1919and31st December1931
POST VINTAGE: MotorVehiclesconstructedbetween1st January1932and31st December1945
POST WAR: MotorVehiclesconstructedbetween1st January1946and31st December1960
POST 1960: MotorVehiclesconstructedbetween1st January1961and31st December1980
POST 1980: MotorVehiclesconstructedafter1st January1981providedthatnovehicleis deemedeligibleforthiscategoryuntilthedayimmediatelyfollowingthe30th anniversary ofitsoriginaldateofconstructionasdeterminedinaccordancewithSection2ofthe ClubVehicleTechnicalCode.(refertotheClubBy-laws)
AUTHENTIC REPRODUCTION VEHICLES: MotorVehiclesnewlyconstructedtotheexact specificationofanoriginalfactoryproductionvehicle.(asdescribedintheClubBy-laws)
FACTORY BUILT & HISTORIC RACING VEHICLES: (asdescribedintheClubBy-laws)
PERIOD SPECIALS: (asdescribedintheClubBy-laws)
OTHER VCC BRANCHES, NATIONAL EVENTS, OTHER CLUBS / ORGANISATIONS ETC.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS - 2026
-AllEntryFormsavailableonrequestfromtheManawatuBranchSecretary
FEBRUARY 2026
Saturday7th EasternBOP-EastCoastRally
Fri >Sun13th > 15th ClassicMotorRacingClubInc. CMRCSouthernClassicRegularityTrial-EntryForm
Friday20th HBVCCArtDecoRally2026
Sunday22nd TedGreenMemorialMotorcycleRally-Registration/EntryForm
Tue > Sun24th > 1st ModelTFord33rd NationalRally
MARCH 2026
Saturday7th WairarapaVintageCarClubStretchedGymkhana MastertonA&PGrounds,SolwayEntryForm
Saturday14th WestCoastSceniclandRallyEntryForm
Saturday21st HorowhenuaBranchAnnualSwapMeetandCollectablesDay -seepage45ofthisTourer
Sat & Sun21st & 22nd TheSteamTractionSocietySteamFair
APRIL 2026
Saturday 11th WaipukurauVCC-TwilightRun-PreliminaryNotice
Sat & Sun11th & 12th 2026SouthernBackroadAdventureEntryForm
Forthelast18monthstheEditor’s(new)emailaddress- bryabr8@gmail.com -has beenincludedintheTourer.ThechangetoaGmailaddresshasbeen highlightedinacoupleofissueshoweversomemembersarestillforwardingemails totheprevious ........@xtra.co.nz emailaddress. Pleasenotethatthe‘xtra’emailaddressisnownolongeractivetherefore anythingsenttothisaddressinthefuturewillnotbedeliveredtotheEditor.
CHAIRPERSON’S CHAT - ESTHER WILLIAMS
Welcometo2026whichlookslikeitisgoingtobeagreatyearfor motoring.
Theyear2026startedoffwiththeGumBootRallyinTaihapeand Len’sNewYearrunandpicnic.Itsoundslikebothoftheseruns weregreat.Unfortunately,IcouldnotgotoeitherasIwason Grandparentduties.
IhopeeveryonehadagreatChristmasandtimewithfamily.I hopetheweatherdidn’tdampermanyactivities.Ihadmy grandkidshereforoveraweekandtheymanagedtogetoutsidefor2days. Itwillbegoodtoseeeveryoneonthe1st Februaryforfunandfellowshipattheclubrooms. IhopethattheweatherwillhavegreatlyimprovedforFebruary.
OnclubnightinFebruarywewillbehavingaguestspeakerMandyBrown.Shewasanurse inPalmerstonNorthHospital,andsheownedaModelAFordcalledMoriarty. Shewillbetalkingaboutallthethingstheygotuptowiththecar.
Happymotoringeveryone, Esther
HiEveryone
WelcomebackandHappyNewYear!Ihopeyouallenjoyeda restfulandsafebreakandarereadyforanotherexcitingyearwith theBranch.
Theyearisalreadyshapinguptobeabusyone.Ourfirstevent kicksoffon1FebruarywiththeGymkhana(seeelsewherefor details),alwaysagreatwaytoblowoffthecobwebs,enjoysome friendlycompetition,andcatchupaftertheholidaybreak.We lookforwardtoseeingplentyofmembersandvehiclesout enjoyingtheday.
OurFebruaryClubNight(18th)willfeatureaguestspeaker,whichpromisestobeboth interestingandinformative.Moredetailswillbesharedshortly,butit’sshapinguptobea greatevening,sobesuretoputitinyourdiary.
Withabusyyearahead,yourCommitteehasalreadybeenworkinghardbehindthescenesto planafullandvariedprogramme.There’splentyonthecalendar,withsomethingfor everyone,andweencouragememberstogetinvolved,attendevents,andenjoyallthatthe Branchhastooffer.
Here’stoafantastic2026filledwithcamaraderie,greatevents,andplentyofmotoringfun. Welookforwardtosharingitwithyouall!
Regards
NewYearGreetingstoYouAll!
NewYear’sDaywasacrackerforLen’sPicnicatMtLeesandalso fortheGumbootRallyatTaihape.Ihaven’theardthenumbersat thepicnicbutwehad16ManawatumembersattheGumboot Rally.Asusualitwasagreatweekendaway.
ThefollowingweekendIhadaManagementMeetingin ChristchurchandtooktheopportunitytocheckoutaMorrieMinor ConvertiblethatCathhadsetherhearton.Alittlebeauty,soit willbecominghomewithusinMarchwhenwegodownfortheExecutiveMeeting.
Friday16thJanuarysawabout20membersfromWellingtonBranch(and1Horowhenua couple)useourMembersRoomforalunchstopontheirMonteCarloRallytoWhanganuifor theAnniversaryWeekendfestivitiesandtheBurmaRally.WehadadozenManawatu membersattendtheBurmaRally(mostjustdoingthedaytrip).Anothergreateventfromthe WhanganuiBranchwithafieldof58entries,withsomefromWellington,Horowhenua, HawkesBay,EasternBayofPlenty,Auckland,Manawatuandagoodnumberoflocals.
ThankstoallthatgaveoldManawatuBranchRallyPlaquesforthedisplayboard.Itlooks reallygreat.
OurnexteventistheGymkhanaattheClubRoomsonSunday1stFebruary(clubroomswill beopenfrom11am).ComealongforabitoffunandgetthechancetodriveaModelTFord (whyshouldIbetheonlyoneterrified!)
Seeyouthere!
Cheers
TheClubroomswillbeopenfrom11.00am. Bringapicniclunch.Tea& Coffeewillbeavailable. Seedetailsonpage10(nextpage)ofthisTourer.
ORKING BEEATTHE CLUBROOMS
2
Weatherpermitting,drivewayhedgetrimmingwillbetheorderoftheday. Ifyoucan,pleasebringalongsawsandchainsawsetc. Iftheweatherisfineandyouareunabletoorwouldrathernotassistwith thehedgetrimming,thereisongoinggardeningandtidyingaroundthe propertyneedingattention.Pleasebringsomegardeningtoolsalong. Iftheweatheriswet,workwillcontinueindoorsonrecoveringthechairs. Pleasebringastaplegun,staples&screwdriverssothatwecanprogresswiththattask. Andofcourse,thereisthemorningteabreakwhichallowstimeforsomeconvivialsocialising.
"THEGROVE" VENUEFORHIRE
BranchMembers:
ForallinquiriesregardingHallorMemberRoom hire,pleasecontacttheBranchSecretarydirectly at cathyclements5@gmail.com
AllOtherInquiries: Pleaserefertotheeventflyerfordetails.
EARLIERISSUESOFTHETOURER&SUPPLEMENTS TOTHETOURERAREAVAILABLEONLINE
Anelectronicresourceisinplacewhichmakesalargenumberofearlier issuesoftheTourereasilyavailabletomembersforreference. Thelinktothoseearlierissuesisbelow.Cutandpastethelinkbelowtoyourbrowser: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1gTU-shJle-YE1OSIdMKqvu3joxGQ6HdS?usp=share_link Useyoursmartphone,tabletorcomputertoseecurrentNewslettersfromotherVCC Branchesonlineandtocheckoutwhatactivitiesareoninthosebranches. Goto www.vcc.org.nz thengoto BranchNewsletters
THE PARTS SHEDS
(WHEREALLITEMSAREPRICEDTOMOVEOFFTHESHELVES)
TheManawatuBranchoftheVCCiscommittedtohelpingyouwiththerestorationand ongoingmaintenanceofyourvaluedvintage&classicvehicle,endeavouringtomaintaina supplyofqualitysecondhandtoolsandpartscoveringallagesandtypesofearlyvehicles.
Anytimeisagoodtimetodeclutterandyourfriendsareinvitedto donateanyunwantedoldcarandmotorcyclepartstothebranchso thatwecantradethemontofellowenthusiasts.
EverythingisgroupedtohelpyouwithyoursearchandGarylooks forwardtoassistingyoufindthatunusual,rareandvaluablepartor toolwhichwillhelpyoumaintainorrestoreyourprideandjoy.
ThePartsShedsareopenbetween2pmand5pmonthefirstSundayafternoonofeach monthorbyarrangement.ContactGaryon (06) 354 8298 or gw.millar.pn@gmail.com
IS THERE A PHOTOGRAPH OF YOUR VEHICLE DISPLAYED IN THE CLUBROOMS ?
IFNOT, PLEASEHAVEATALKTO ROBERT WILSONATCLUBNIGHT.
Photoframesareonhand-wejustneedthephotographs-whetheritbeofyourvehicle inoriginal,restored,orunrestoredcondition.
TogetyourvehicledisplayedintheClubroomsallRobertneedsfromyouisaphotograph ofyourvehicleinlandscapelayout.
Thephotographneedstohaveapictureviewareaof16 cmwidex11 cmhigh-meaning thattheimageofthevehicleneedstofitintothatgivensize,althoughtofittheframes, thephotographsizewillneedtobealittlelarger(i.e.18 cmx13 cm(5x7inches)).
NAME BADGES
NEW MEMBERS shouldcontactthebranchSecretarytoorganisetocollecttheirfreebadge.
EXISTING MEMBERS shouldcontactthebranchSecretarytoarrangeareplacementforalost ordamagedbadge-atcost.
SCRAP METAL BINS
Thescrapmetalbinforlargermetalitems(i.e.tinsandbigger)wheremetalscrapcanbe contributedislocatedoutsidebetweenthetwopartssheds,andthereisabinforsmall scrapmetalinplaceinthePartsShed.
Thereis24-houraccesstotheoutsidebin(usethegatenearthePartsShedwhichisnot locked).Thebinforsmallscrapmetalisonlyaccessiblewhenthepartsshedisopen. Moneyraisedfromthesaleofscraphelpswiththeongoingmaintenanceoftheclubrooms andpartssheds.
CONTRIBUTIONS FOR ‘THE TOURER’
BecausetheToureristheMagazineforyourbranch-itisyourmagazine. Shouldyoucomeacrossanythingthatyouthinkcouldinterestyourfellowmembers,orif youwishtocontributeanarticleonanyofyourmotoringprojects(pastorpresent),or yourrecentparticipationinrunsoreventswithotherbranches,pleasedonothesitateto senditalongwithanyphotographswhichyouhave,totheeditor.
REQUEST FROM YOUR EDITOR
Thisisyourmagazinesolet’sshareourvintageandclassiccarswithall.
IfyourvehiclehasnotbeenthesubjectofanarticleintheTourerplease considerwritingsomethingupaboutitandforwardingittotheeditor withaphotographortwo.Ifyoudon’tknowwheretostartorhowto approachthematter,thereisapageofprompts(questions)whichtheeditorcanemailto youwhichwillsetyouintherightdirectionforanarticle-oryoumightjustchooseto makenotesundereachpromptandreturnthepagetotheeditorforwritingup.
Contributionsneednotbelengthy.Halfapage/severalpages-itisuptoyou.
INTRODUCING NEW MEMBERS
TheManawatuBranchoftheVintageCarClubispleasedtowelcomethefollowingnew members.
HAYDON ROWE
1924FordModelT,1913FordModelT,1912FordModelT, 1919FordModelTT,1965Fiat500
AVIRAM HERSCOVICI
1972Mercedes220
PETER HERBERT
1929Plymouth
JANE CARVER
Abigwelcometoourbranchandwelookforwardtoseeingyouatfutureclubactivities.
PHOTOGRAPHS - FROMTHE COMBINED MANAWATU & CENTRAL HAWKES BAY VCC VETERAN RALLY
PREVIOUS PAGEAND ABOVE: Meetingupat TUIHQfor thestartof therally.
RIGHTAND BELOW: TheBriefing.
NEXTFOUR PAGES: Ontheroad.
1914SaxonA GrahamHodder WairarapaBranch
1913FordModelT Haydon & AlanRowe ManawatuBranch
1916Chevrolet490 LenHaycock ManawatuBranch
1917FordModelT Roadster PeterWilton WanganuiBranch
1927EssexSuper6 AlistairHoward ManawatuBranch
1903VeteranHolley TonyPrebensen CHBBranch
1918EssexRoadster FrancisPointon WairarapaBranch
1913 Sunbeam 16/20 RyanDewes WairarapaBranch
1915Dodge AllanHardacre ManawatuBranch
1918Cadillac57 JohnCallesen ManawatuBranch
1924Chevrolet Superior (Robbo)Phil Robertson ManawatuBranch
1913FordRoadster RodMcKenzie CHBBranch
ABOVE: Rallycarsfromthe‘CandidCamera’camera.
RIGHTANDNEXTPAGE
The“ManCave”shed whichparticipants visitedduringtherally.
PAGE22
Carsparkedupatthe ‘ManShed’collection -thenontheroadback totheBreweryforthe endofrallyand afternoontea.
EADYFORTHE PAHIATUA CHRISTMAS PARADE
RIGHT:the1918Cadillac57was alsodecoratedandisshown herewaitingtojointhe PahiatuaChristmasParadeJohn&JudyCallesen
LEFT:aftercompletingthe combinedbranchVeteran Rallythe1915Dodgewas decoratedandpreparedfor participatinginthePahiatua ChristmasParadeAllan&SuzanneHardacre
LEFT:JudyandSuzanne takingtimeoutbeforethe startoftheparade.
Aftertheparadebothteams returnedtoPalmerstonNorth viathePahiatuaTrack
MANAWATU BRANCH MEMORIES
LEFT: Thepictureonthe coveroftheTourer(June 2010)–fromthe2010 PV,PWV,P60Rallywhich startedatPalmerston North,wenttothe PahiatuaHistoricalRailway Societyformorningtea, outeastofMauriceville passingthroughBideford thenturningright(heading north)ontoWhangaehu ValleyRoadwherethe lunchstopwasatTakiTaki Station.Thenitwasback throughEketahunatothe clubroomsforafternoon tea.
GUMBOOT RALLY 2026 - REPORT
ReportprovidedbyHarryJackson-Vile
TheGumbootRallyof2026wasdestinedtobeagoodone.Ihadbeenlookingforwardtoit forsometime.IhadattendedLenHaycock'sNewYear'sDaypicnicforthelast4yearssoit wastimeforachange.Thoughthepicnicwasfun,Iwaskeentodosomegravelroad rallying.InthewordsofourClubCaptainGlyn:"Inmyopinion,it'sthebestrallyinthe country!"
IwastobemakingthewayuptoTaihapewithChrisRhodesinhisVWAmarok,autewhichis afamiliarsightasaTail-EndCharlieontheannualHighlandFling.Wemetupinthecentreof FeildingonThursday31stofDecemberandwereceivedinstructionsfortheplannedroutewe weregoingtotraveltogettoGumbootCountry.LuckythatChrishadagoodnavigatorinthe frontseat-wedefinitelydidNOTmissanyturns!
WecameacrossafallentreewhichwasblockingtheroadabouthalfanhourfromTaihape. Wehoppedoutandmadeaplantotryandpullapartofthetreebacksowecouldpass through.Unfortunately,whilewewerepulling,itseemedthatthebranchthatwehadour handslatchedontowasstillattachedtothetrunk,sowhenwepulledwithallourmight,Chris wentflyingbackwardsinslowmotionandendedupintheculvertwhenhisgripbrokefreeof thestubbornbranch.Ouch!
Ourmotelwasbookedoutbyrallyists(madeupword?)andweallhadagreatNewYear's Evecelebration.Wewere:
TonyPrebensen(CHB),1928FordTourer
GlynClementsandCathyClements,1961MorrisMinor
BrianandSueRowe
NormaandMatthewShute,1955HumberHawk
BrucePooleandNeilCox,HillmanMinx
PhilandLaniseRobertson
KenandAnnetteFoot,1958Humber80
HarryJackson-Vile(me)andChrisRhodes
ChrisandIweretogowithTonyinhis1928ModelA,andwhatgreatfunitturnedouttobe. Ontherallyday,over20carsturnedup,rangingfromacoupleofvintageFords,PostVintage stuff,andrightuptotheP80class.
WeleftTaihapeMemorialPark,wentthroughtown,andheadedupthroughtherollinghills. Beautifulcountryaroundthatarea.Wecameacrossafallentree,howeveritwasbeing tendedtobyamanwithachainsaw,luckily!
Wewereonourwayagainanddrivingthedodgygravelroads.TheFordperformedreally well,andafterthelunchstopattheHuntervilleRugbyClub,itwasmyturntodrivetheModel A.HavingneverdrivenaModelA,itwasaninterestingexperienceforme,ithandledand drovecompletelydifferenttomy1929ChevroletPickup,thoughTonyhadobviously engineeredtheFordbacktonearhowitwaswhenitrolledoffthefactoryfloor,brand spankingnew.Therewerealotof"Axle-Breakers"onthegravelroads,andmuchtothe dismayofChris,Imanagedtocovereveryoneofthem!Aquickglanceintherear-view
mirrorshowedamanwhowasslightlygreenaroundthegills,whiteknuckledandholdingon fordearlifeasweglidedaroundthecorners.Ithinkduringoneinstance,Imayhavepulled offanimpressive"One-Wheel-Peel"whenacceleratingaftereasingtheFordaroundaU-Bend! Whenwegotbacktotherallyorganiser'sgarage(whereaBBQandtheprizegivingtook place),TonytoldmeIwasdesignatedthe"SoberDriver".Let'sseehowIwentdrivingthe Fordwhenmyinstructorandpassengerwerepassedoutintothesideandrearofme, snoringtheirheadsoff!
Wemadeitbacktothemotelinonepiece,thankfully,andtheModelAwasclearlypleasedto haveitsfavoureddriverbackbehindthewheelduringlongthetriphomethatwouldtake placethenextday.
Allinall,itwasagreatevent. Iwasveryimpressedbytheleveloforganisationthatwasdemonstratedbytherallydirector. I'llbebacknextyear!
Inothernews,12ManawatuBranchmembersmadethejourneytoWanganuion18JanuaryChrisandIincluded.Therallyturnedouttobeagoodwaytospendtheday.Drivingold carsandthensocialisingisnotsomethingtocomplainabout.
Manawatumembers'carswere:
1928Dodge
1995Rover
1962FordZephyr
1958Humber
We'lldefinitelybebacknextyear!
Ihopeyouhaveenjoyedmysomewhatshortrallyreport: Seeyouatthenextclubevent!
ITWASAGOODDAY - UNTIL ……
Source:AntiqueCarWrecks-fromOldCarsWeekly’s“WreckoftheWeek”photoalbum.
Terry-LeeChandlerofLainesburg,Mich.,missedacurveandwreckedhis1947Chevroletstreetrod onJune26th 1985.ChandlerwasoutofhospitalanddoingwellbyAugust1985. PictureshowsanEnglish‘breakdownpatrol’attendingtoanaccidentinthe1960s. Theupside-downcarisanEnglishFord.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU GREASE WHEEL BEARINGS
Source: https://www.jalopnik.com -articlebyRonKing
Beforewediveintothefrequencywith whichyoushouldgreasewheel bearings,weshouldnotethatnotall wheelbearingsneedtobegreased.
Wheelbearingguidancepublishedina November1980HotRodarticlepointed outthatsomewheelbearingsare lubricatedforlifeandsealedatthe factory.
Mostmodernautomobilesusesealed wheelbearingsthatneverneedtoberegreased.That'sanadvantage.
However,bythetimeitsoundslikethewheelbearingisgoingbad,you'llhavetoreplaceit, andyoumayevenhavetoreplacemoreparts,includingthehubassembly.Thatsaid,ifyou haveaclassiccar,boat,utilitytrailer,ortow-behindcamper,you'llmostlikelystillneedto greaseyourwheelbearingsperiodically.
Oddlyenough,the45-year-oldHotRodarticle'srecommendationforrepackingtheserviceable frontwheelbearingsofautomobileswithnewgrease"every12,000milesor12months"is stillaccurate.Lippert,aleadingmanufactureroftrailersusedforcampers,boats,livestock, andmore,recommendsrepackingbearingswithgreaseannuallyataminimumandmore oftenifyouusethetrailerfrequentlyorinharshconditions.Amsoil,asupplieroflubricants, agreeswithgreasingwheelbearingsannuallyasapartofroutinemaintenance.
Thebestwaytogreasewheelbearings
Therearedifferentwaystoapply greasetowheelbearings.Each methodhasalistofprosandcons surroundingtheprocessesand efficacy.Forexample,thebest methodislabourintensive,while theeasiestwaycanleadtomore problems.Unlikerubberbushings thatneedgreaseappliedtothe outersurface,wheelbearingsare bestservedbygreasepackedinto theirinternals.
Theeasiestmethod,forsomewheelbearings,istopumpadditionalgreaseintothehub throughthehollowspindleoranattachmentfittedwithagreasezerk*.Zerkfittingsthat applygreasedirectlytowheelbearingsarecommononsomeboatandRVtrailers,either directlyfromthefactoryorasaftermarketadd-ons.It'sasystemcommonlyknownasa BearingBuddy(brandname)orwet-boltdesignthatdoesn'tevenrequireremovingthetyre. Thedownsidestothistypeofapplicationarethatnewgreasemaynotreachtheinner
bearing,oritmayoverpressurizethesealsandleakgreaseintothebrakeassembly.
Thebestwaytogreasewheelbearingsistorepackthembyhand.However,itrequires removingthewheel,disassemblingthehub,andthoroughlycleaningthebearings,races,and hubassembly.Upsidestothisprocessincluderemovingalltheoldgreaseandany contaminatesandprovidinganopportunitytoinspectthebearingsandracesfordamageor wearbeforereassembly.
* Wikipidia:Agreasefitting,greasenipple,Zerkfitting,greasezerk,Alemitefitting,ordivit isametalfittingusedinmechanicalsystemstofeedlubricants,usuallylubricatinggrease,into abearingundermoderatetohighpressureusingagreasegun.
BITS & PIECESFROM BYGONE DAYS
TECHNICAL STUFF - HOWIT WORKS
Source:CarAustralia-September1988issue
Articlecontributedby:RobertHeath
FOR SALE :
1964AustinA60(1622cc)
Verygood‘original’order. Regoonhold,butcouldbe negotiatedtobeincluded.
Askingprice$6,000.00or offer.
PhoneSelwyn0274171193
FOR SALE :
GoffandJudyBriantarewantingtomovetheir1939Nashontonewowners. ThecarhasbeenwellralliedaroundtheManawatuoverthepastyearsandcomeswitha selectionofspares.
1939Nash400
Agreatcruisingcar.
Ibelievetheremaybean overdriveunitwiththe sparesthatgowiththe car.
Asking$14,000ornear offer
ContactJudyon 0272547601 oremail gjw.briant@xtra.co.nz
FOR SALE :
1936AustinLight12/4
Regoonhold.
Hasbeenindrystorage since1974.
Haveblacknumberplates
InthegridbelowfindthefollowinghiddenstreetnamesfromthesuburbofCloverlea:
ADMIRAL BENDIGO BENMORE BENNETT
BISLEY CECIL DRURY FOX
GERALDINE HENLEY HERBERT HINAU
KINGSGATE LESLIE MEADOWBROOK ORIANA
PETERS RAGLAN RIMU ROSEDALE
SUTHERLAND TARARUA TREMAINE WALTHAM
Acompanyownerwasaskedaquestion,“Howdoyoumotivateyouremployeestobeso punctual?”Hesmiledandreplied“It’ssimple.Ihave30employeesand29freeparking spaces.Oneispaidparking.”
Whilemassagingherhusband’sheadsheasks“Beforewegotmarriedwhousedtomassage youhead?”
Herhusband’sanswerwastrulytouching:“Beforewegotmarried,Ineverhadaheadache.”
Q.Whyaremarriedwomenheavierthansinglewomen?
A.Singlewomencomehome,seewhat’sinthefridgeandgotobed.Marriedwomencome home,seewhat’sinbedandgotothefridge.
Threeelderlygentlemenarechattingabouttheiraches,painsandbodilydysfunctions.
One75-year-oldgentlemansays,“Ihavethisissue.Iwakeupeverymorningat7a.m.,and ittakesme20minutestopee.”
An80-year-oldgentlemanreplies,“Mysituationisworse.Igetupat8a.m.andsitthere gruntingandgroaningforhalfanhourbeforeIfinallyhaveabowelmovement.”
The90-year-oldgentlemansays,“Notme.At7a.m.Ipeelikeastallion,andat8a.m.I pooplikeabull.”
“Sowhat’syourproblem?”askedtheothers. “Idon’twakeupuntil9.00a.m.”
MANAWATUBRANCH
Formoreinformation,pleasecontact theManawatuBranchTreasurer.
11issuesoftheTourerarepublished annually.
VCCMembersfromall35branches haveaccesstothemagazine.
Thepublicalsohaveaccesstothisand otherVCCbranchmagazinesthrough theNewZealandVCCinternetsite: vcc.org.nz/news-from-our-branches
Advertisingdoesnothavetorelateto motoringproducts.
MANAWATU BRANCH DIRECTORY - 2025 / 2026
BranchCommitteeOfficeHolders:
Chair: EstherWilliams e williams@xtra.co.nz 0272437275
ViceChair: CliffBennett(Jenny) cliffbennett@xtra.co.nz 0635633830212837088
Secretary: CathyClements(Glyn) cathyclements5@gmail.com 0632859790272862927
Treasurer: KenFoot(Annette) kafoot@outlook.com 0212427882
ClubCaptain: GlynClements(Cathy) cbz1@xtra.co.nz 06328597902108334081
BranchCommitteeMembers:
StewartBird(Natalia) stewartbird01@gmail.com 0273285506
AnnetteFoot(Ken) kafoot@outlook.com 0272107532
ErrolGray(Ann) errans255@gmail.com 0275564176
VivienneReid(Owen) owenhome@xtra.co.nz 0211713148
BrianRowe(Sue) felstone@xtra.co.nz 063258725
AppointedPositions:
Custodian&Librarian:
GaryMillar(Marion) gw.millar.pn@gmail.com 063548298
Delegate: EstherWilliams e williams@xtra.co.nz 0272437275
Editor (Tourer): BryanAbraham(Catherine) bryabr8@gmail.com 063584014
IDCardAdvisor:
JohnIreland(Anne) ireland.clan@inspire.net.nz 063234170
IDCardAdvisor:
DerekHaycock(Becky) derek.and.beck@inspire.net.nz 063561056
IdleTorque (BeadedWheels) Scribe: BryanAbraham(Catherine) bryabr8@gmail.com 063584014
PartsShed:
GaryMillar(Marion) gw.millar.pn@gmail.com 063548298
PrivacyOfficer:
CathyClements(Glyn) cathyclements5@gmail.com 0632859790272862927
SwapmeetCoordinator:
JohnIreland(Anne) ireland.clan@inspire.net.nz 063234170
AssistantSwapmeetCoordinator:
MurrayThomson(Jill) murray.jill@xtra.co.nz 063233901
NewMemberLiaison/MemberWelfare: AllCommitteeMembers
